President Tinubu Mandates Agency to Deploy 10,000 Tractors
Tinubu Orders Deployment of 10,000 Tractors to Boost Agriculture
In a bid to enhance food production and mechanize agriculture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to oversee the deployment of 10,000 John Deere tractors across Nigeria.
The initiative will begin with the rollout of 2,000 tractors in the first and second quarters of 2025, with plans to scale up to 10,000 units over the next five years.
Speaking during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with John Deere at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Abuja, NADF Executive Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed that the first batch of tractors would arrive at the Lagos port before the 2025 wet farming season.
Mechanization Efforts to Transform Agriculture
“The National Agricultural Development Fund has been tasked with implementing one of the Federal Government’s key mechanization programs under President Tinubu’s leadership. This initiative is part of the broader goal to diversify Nigeria’s economy by prioritizing agriculture,” Ibrahim said.
He explained that NADF secured Federal Executive Council approval in October 2024 and has since engaged in extensive negotiations with John Deere and key stakeholders, including an international mechanization partner, Haifa.
“This collaboration has allowed us to identify challenges and successes in agricultural mechanization, guiding the implementation of the tractor deployment program. The delivery of these tractors before the wet season will significantly boost agricultural productivity,” he added.
Strategic Partnerships for Smooth Implementation
To expedite the process, NADF has signed an MoU with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). The agreement provides space at the ports for the assembly plant managed by John Deere AGCOMS International Trading Limited, the sub-dealer for the tractors.
Country Director of AGCOMS International Trading Limited, Engr. Okoli Chijioke, emphasized the significance of the assembly plant. He revealed that the $70 million MoU for the procurement of 2,000 tractors would not only facilitate the tractors’ assembly but also offer Nigerian youths training opportunities in advanced agricultural technology.
“This assembly plant is crucial for the sustainability of this initiative. It will ensure the tractors are properly maintained and utilized for decades, while also equipping our youths with the skills to support the program,” Chijioke stated.
Government Commitment to Mechanization
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, lauded NADF for securing the landmark agreement with AGCOMS International Trading Limited. He reiterated the Federal Executive Council’s support for the program and expressed optimism that the initiative would attract young Nigerians to agribusiness.
Kyari urged NADF to ensure the timely delivery and distribution of the tractors to farmers before the 2025 wet farming season. “This effort marks a significant milestone in our quest to modernize agriculture. The success of this initiative will lay the foundation for a sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector,” he said.
This tractor deployment initiative is expected to revolutionize farming in Nigeria, empowering farmers with advanced equipment and positioning agriculture as a key driver of economic growth.
